West Ham United F.C. have completed the signing of midfielder Manuel Lanzini from UAE Arabian Gulf League club Al-Jazira on a season-long loan deal.
The former River Plate academy graduate, 20, becomes the Hammers’ seventh summer signing following the arrivals of Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus), Carl Jenkinson (on loan from Arsenal), Darren Randolph (Birmingham City), Dimitri Payet (Olympique de Marseille), Pedro Obiang (U.C. Sampdoria) and Stephen Hendrie (Hamilton Academical).
“This is very emotional because it is one of the best teams I have ever signed for,” Lanzini toldWest Ham TV. “It is a very important step for my career and for my future.
“I am looking forward to what is a new era for me. I’m very happy and I look forward to meeting my new team-mates.
“This is a new challenge for me and that can only help in the future. It will test my ability in one of the best leagues in the world, so I am looking forward to getting started.
“I am someone who always gives 100 per cent. I’m an attacking player, I can change the game’s tempo and I hope to give my maximum for the fans to appreciate me.”
Lanzini scored eight goals in 24 league appearances for Al-Jazira last season.
Johnstone to wait before deciding future
Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has revealed he will hold talks with the club before deciding whether to return to Championship side Preston North End on loan.
Johnstone, 22, has impressed during United’s first two games in the International Champions Cup, and is hoping to carve out a first-team place at Old Trafford amid ongoing reports linking David de Gea and Victor Valdes with summer exits.
“If I go back out I would like it to be a loan,” Johnstone said. “I have to see what happens here first. The manager here gives kids opportunities.
“I have been at this club since I was 10 years old so you have to look at it, speak to the right people and see what the club want from me.
“If they tell me it is time to move on then it is time to move on, but I will keep working hard here and impressing the manager.”
Johnstone kept 13 clean sheets in 25 League One appearances for Preston last season, helping the club secure promotion to the Sky Bet Championship (via the play-offs).
Preston are priced at 15/8 to finish in the top-half of the Sky Bet Championship table in 2015/16.
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